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A Bug's Life (1998)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 7.9/10
Reviews Counted: 84
Fresh: 77 | Rotten: 7

Blending top notch animation with rousing adventure, witty dialogue, and memorable characters, A Bug's Life is another Pixar winner.

Average Rating: 7.5/10
Critic Reviews: 19
Fresh: 18 | Rotten: 1

Blending top notch animation with rousing adventure, witty dialogue, and memorable characters, A Bug's Life is another Pixar winner.

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Average Rating: 3.3/5
User Ratings: 901,013

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Movie Info

John Lasseter, director of Pixar's movie phenomenon Toy Story, has set new standards in computer animation with this effort, another Disney-released children's epic entitled A Bug's Life. Blending classic Disney storytelling characters and the mysterious underground world of bugs, Lasseter has created a film that can be enjoyed by all audiences, and another franchise in the process. A Bug's Life is a computerized retelling of the Aesop fable The Ant and the Grasshopper, made as a cartoon-short

G, 1 hr. 36 min.

Animation, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed By: John Lasseter , Andrew Stanton

In Theaters: Nov 20, 1998 Wide

On DVD: Apr 20, 1999

Buena Vista Pictures

Cast

Dave Foley
Flik
Kevin Spacey
Hopper
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Princess Atta
Hayden Panettiere
Dot
Phyllis Diller
Queen
Richard Kind
Molt
David Hyde Pierce
Slim
Joe Ranft
Heimlich
Denis Leary
Francis
Jonathan Harris
Manny
Madeline Kahn
Gypsy
Bonnie Hunt
Rosie
Michael McShane
Tuck & Roll
John Ratzenberger
P.T. Flea
Brad Garrett
Dim
Roddy McDowall
Mr. Soil
Edie McClurg
Dr. Flora
Alex Rocco
Thorny
David Ossman
Cornelius
Kelsey Mulrooney
Christina Milian
Ashley Tisdale
Lead Blueberry Scout

Critic Reviews for A Bug's Life

All Critics (84) | Top Critics (19) | Fresh (83) | Rotten (7) | DVD (39)

A Bug's Life may be the single most amazing film I've ever seen that I couldn't fall in love with.

September 7, 2011 Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly

| Comment

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Top Critic

This animated fable teems with vivid creatures standing on their own countless feet.

June 25, 2011 Full Review Source: Wall Street Journal

| Comment

Joe Morgenstern

Wall Street Journal

Top Critic

The plot matures handsomely; the characters neatly converge and combust; the gags pay off with emotional resonance.

September 1, 2008 Full Review Source: TIME Magazine

| Comment

Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

Top Critic

Full of adventure, spectacle, light romance, and the kind of suspense that doesn't require an unpredictable outcome to make your spine tingle.

June 20, 2007 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

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Lisa Alspector

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

One of the great movies -- a triumph of storytelling and character development, and a whole new ballgame for computer animation.

June 18, 2002 Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle

| Comment

Peter Stack

San Francisco Chronicle

Top Critic

The Lawrence of Arabia of bug movies.

March 19, 2002 Full Review Source: Globe and Mail

| Comment

Globe and Mail

Top Critic

The colours are vivid, the detail incredible and the vocal performances, led by Foley, are fine. Happily, it works on both a child's and adult's level.

February 17, 2012 Full Review Source: Film4

| Comment

Film4

Cute animated tale with some mild peril and scary bugs.

December 21, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

The rest of the film has similar fun mixing bug-world givens with anthropomorphism.

July 6, 2010 Full Review Source: Sight and Sound

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Leslie Felperin

Sight and Sound

Extras on the first disc include a full length audio commentary by co-director John Lasseter and a behind-the-scenes featurette on the making of the film.

June 17, 2009 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide

| Comment

Brian Webster

Apollo Guide

Promotes the classic American ethos of individualism without seeming preachy or narrow-minded, creating characters we enjoy, a story that's fun and visuals that sparkle.

June 17, 2009 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide

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Brian Webster

Apollo Guide

The whole film is one big wow in Hi-Def.

June 7, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis

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James Plath

Movie Metropolis

pure joy--whimsical, funny, and downright entertaining

May 29, 2009 Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk

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James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

A Bug's Life [is] sure to endure as a superb children's entertainment. [Blu-ray]

May 24, 2009 Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews

| Comment (1)

Peter Canavese

Groucho Reviews Source: Groucho Reviews

Entertaining computer-animated fantasy epic.

October 29, 2008 Full Review Source: Decent Films Guide

| Comment

Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films Guide

Doesn't merit much enthusiasm or indignation; it just skitters across your consciousness, leaving no traces except a vague depression.

August 11, 2007 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com

| Comments (3)

Rob Gonsalves

eFilmCritic.com

Pixel perfect.

June 24, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

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Derek Adams

Time Out

A classic. It's better than the last several Disney animated films. PIXAR has stated they want to be the second successful feature animation studio. They're already there.

December 6, 2005 Full Review Source: Film Threat

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Ron Wells

Film Threat

The witty dialog and contemporary humor keep things interesting and entertaining for the adults out there. The kids, even younger ones, have plenty to keep them occupied for 96 minutes.

April 9, 2005 Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews

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Robin Clifford

Reeling Reviews

Features some enchanting little insects and a very hummable Randy Newman song, The Time of Your Life.

June 28, 2004 Full Review Source: Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)

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Judith Egerton

Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY) Source: Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for A Bug's Life

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I'ts not Antz but its a refreshingly original Pixar production.

August 15, 2011

Directors Cat

Super Reviewer

A cute and funny movie from Pixar. One of the ones that made them famous. If you like their work, you should see this. It's mostly a fun and entertaining movie, which is good if that's the kind of movie you want.

September 6, 2010

AJ Verser

Super Reviewer

A Bug's Life Quotes

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1. Hopper: You piece of dirt! No, I'm wrong. You're lower than dirt. You're an ant!
– Submitted by Lucas M (8 months ago)
1. Princess Atta: You mean you're not warriors?
2. P.T. Flea: Are you kidding? These guys are the lousiest circus bugs you've ever seen, and they're gonna make me rich!
– Submitted by Lucas M (8 months ago)
1. Rosie: Okay, come on everyone. Break a leg.
2. Flik: Whoa! You're vicious!
– Submitted by Lucas M (8 months ago)
1. Slim: I'm the only stick with eyeballs!!
– Submitted by Ny O (9 months ago)
1. Tuck & Roll: [at each other] You fired! You fired! You fired!
2. Rosie: Oh, will you shut up?!?
3. Tuck & Roll: [to Rosie] Hey! You fired!
– Submitted by Michael C (11 months ago)